Bottom Line

If you want a wired gaming headset, you typically need to choose between a simple, functional model for under $100 or a premium, feature-filled one for more than $200. In the middle lies the G Pro X, Logitech's newest gaming headset and a notable upgrade over the previous G Pro model. This $129.99 headset features a comfortable, sturdy build, loads of accessories, a 7.1-channel USB sound card, and a remarkable amount of software-based audio customization options, all for far less than the high-end models from the likes of Astro and Turtle Beach. It packs an impressive punch, and earns our Editors' Choice for all it offers.

Design

The G Pro X gets a significant style and build quality upgrade over the previous, largely plastic G Pro Gaming Headset. The curved, matte black plastic earcups now feature bright, chrome-finished circular aluminum plates on the back bearing the Logitech G logo. The earpads are generous, soft memory foam wrapped in black faux leather, matching the foam-and-leatherette padding on the headband. The earcups attach to the headband through sturdy, Y-shaped, matte black steel arms that let them pivot vertically, but not rotate. Short, coiled cables connect the earcups to each other, under the headband padding. The result of all of these elements is a sturdy, comfortable design that can be worn for long periods of time, comparable in fit and feel to the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 and a marked step up from previous Logitech G-series gaming headsets.

If the faux leather feels too warm around your ears, Logitech includes a set of fabric-wrapped earpads. It's a welcome alternative, but the pads attach to the cup with very thin faux-leather strips, and can be a bit frustrating to properly mount. Magnetic mounts, like the kind the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 and Astro Gaming A40 TR use for their earpads, are much easier to secure and quicker to switch.

The left earcup holds the G Pro X's two physical connections. A 3.5mm port for the two included headset cables faces straight down, while a second 3.5mm port for the boom mic points diagonally down and forward. One is a fabric-wrapped, two-meter (6.5 feet) cable intended for the PC, with an inline remote featuring a mic mute switch, a volume wheel, and a shirt clip. The other is a rubber-wrapped, 1.5-meter (4.9 feet) mobile cable with an inline microphone with a mute switch. Both cables terminate in a four-pole 3.5mm connection on both ends. Unfortunately, neither cable has any mobile playback controls if you want to use the headset as headphones with your phone.

USB Card and G Hub

If you have a PC with separate headphone and microphone jacks, you can use the included 0.4-foot splitter for direct, analog connections. That isn't the best way to connect the headset to your computer, though, since the G Pro X also comes with a USB sound card. The card is a small, flat black plastic box about the size of a USB drive, with a 3.5mm headset port on one end and a two-inch-long, permanently attached fabric-wrapped cable terminating in a USB-A connector on the other end. The card works with Logitech's G Hub software and includes support for DTS Headphone:X 2.0 7.1-channel simulated surround sound. Since the headset itself has a 3.5mm connection, you can use it with any modern game console or mobile device with a headphone or headset jack, but the sound card and its accompanying software will only work with a PC. A sound card-less version of the headset, simply called the G Pro, is available for $99.99.

The G Hub software offers an impressive selection of adjustments for both headphone and microphone audio. On the listening side, there's a five-band EQ with a variety of presets and the ability to create your own profiles. This is a fairly standard feature for gaming headsets with PC control software, though the inclusion of the custom EQ preferences of esports professionals like Team SoloMid's Bjergsen, Hamlinz, and Myth is new.

The really interesting adjustments come in the microphone menu and the plethora of options enabled by Blue Microphones' Blue Voice processing. Besides adjusting gain and sidetone, you can use and create microphone presets with three-channel voice EQ and variable high-pass filter, noise reduction, expander/gate, de-esser, compressor, and limiter. Esports pro presets are available for your mic as well, along with profiles to bring out your voice whether it's deep or high-pitched, or even sound like you're on AM radio. It's a level of customizability we haven't seen on other gaming headset mics.

Microphone Performance

The microphone itself sounds excellent, capturing plenty of detail in test recordings. My voice sounded occasionally overly sibilant with the default Broadcaster setting, but some experimenting with both mic position and the G Hub's extensive customization options can fix that. It's a crisp, clean mic that will satisfy your needs for most casual streaming and recording. If you're very serious about capturing your voice, however, you should consider getting a dedicated USB microphone.

Gaming Performance

Forza Horizon 4 sounds very good on the G Pro X through the USB sound card. The sub-bass isn't particularly powerful and the rumble of engines won't rattle your head even if you crank up the bass with the EQ, but the above-subwoofer lows and low-mids get enough presence to sound very full without the ultra-low frequencies. The highs and high-mids sound sculpted and crisp even with a flat EQ setting, which lets each vehicle's engine sound distinct, from the high-pitched whines of sports cars to the aggressive roars of trucks. In Lego Speed Champions DLC, knocking over objects sounds properly plastic and clean, like a bunch of Lego bricks toppling over.

Overwatch also sounds detailed and full, with a fairy light touch from the DTS Headphone:X simulated surround sound. The game's swelling, epic score gets a modest amount of low and low-mid presence, as do the heavier guns and explosions. The high-mids stand out, letting gunfire and different characters' voices come through clearly in the action.

Music Performance

The DTS Headphone:X 2.0 simulated surround sound seriously affects the headset's audio balance, and should be disabled if you want to listen to music. With the feature enabled, bass is dialed up significantly while the higher frequencies get noticeably muffled. Fortunately, the headset sounds excellent when playing music in non-surround mode, with only stereo audio playing through it.

Our bass test track, The Knife's "Silent Shout," gets fairly thumping low-frequency response in its bass drum hits and deep synth notes in stereo. It isn't head-rattling, but there's enough presence to sound balanced. Turning surround sound on dials up the bass considerably and does produce impressive low-end, but everything else in the mix gets dialed back too much. At maximum volume levels, even in this mode, the headset doesn't distort.

Yes' "Roundabout" is served well by the G Pro X's stereo audio. The opening acoustic guitar notes get plenty of string texture, and when the electric bass starts there's enough low and low-mid response to give the track its properly funk-infused gravitas. The vocals, drums, and guitar strums come through clearly, with each element easily discernible in the busy mix. Turning surround sound on muffles every element above low-mid frequencies considerably.

Modest Price, Premium Features

The Logitech G Pro X gaming headset is an excellent choice if you want high-end features and build quality at a relatively low price. The $130 package includes a sturdy, comfortable, headset with two sets of earpads, plus a DTS Headphone:X 2.0 USB sound card that enables a remarkable variety of EQ and audio processing adjustments for both the headphones and microphone.

If you want an even more premium wired headset, you'll have to spend significantly more on the Turtle Beach Elite Pro 2 + SuperAmp or the Astro Gaming A40 TR + MixAmp Pro TR. At $200 and $250 respectively, both alternatives move up from a USB soundcard to including physical mixing amps with controls and a variety of connection options, and offer slightly superior build quality. In the other direction, the Astro Gaming A10 is an excellent, simple wired gaming headset available for half the price of the G Pro X, though it doesn't feel nearly as solid or comfortable. In the middle ground, the Logitech G Pro X is a fantastic performer, and our Editors' Choice.

About the Author

Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for a decade, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Sound & Vision, and Maximum PC. His work and analysis has been seen in GamePro, Tested.com, Geek.com, and several other publications. He currently covers consumer electronics in the PC Labs as the in-house home entertainment expert, reviewing TVs, media hubs, speakers, headphones, and gaming accessories. Will is also an ISF Level II-certified TV calibrator, which ensures the thoroughness and accuracy of all PCMag TV reviews. See Full Bio